NAPIER  - Zimbabwe will approach its one-off Test against New Zealand from Thursday (today) keenly aware that every international match it now plays strengthens or loosens its foothold in world cricket after a long and sometimes bitter exile.
The years that Zimbabwe spent on the sidelines of world cricket - a consequence of failing form and domestic political volatility - ended in August when they beat Bangladesh in a match that heralded its return to Test status. Zimbabwe then strongly pressed New Zealand in a solitary Test in Bulawayo late last year, holding the upper hand until the final session when the young fast bowler Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a 34-run win.
That performance and a strong hit-out in its warm-up match - a three-dayer against a composite XI containing several New Zealand test players - will send Zimbabwe into the test at McLean Park confident of a respectable display.
Coach Alan Butcher said Zimbabwe believed it could match New Zealand after its recent experience at home.  "There was no doubt New Zealand were very worried up until tea time on that last day," he said. "I hope we can visibly get them as worried again in this test.
"It's obviously going to be more difficult on their home patch but that's what I would hope for. If we do that, perhaps this time we will have more know-how to go on and win the game."
Taibu, a relative veteran of 27 tests, said Zimbabwe was eager to re-establish itself as one of test cricket's earnest battlers.